Who is ready to do what

Washington will provide a division of 20,000 troops to the stabilisation force. These are considered separate from the 135,000 combat troops there. It will patrol Baghdad and the centre of the country.

The US wants Iraq divided into three or four as yet undef-ined sectors. It may hand control of the north to Poland.

Along with Britain, the US wants to keep the UN out of peacekeeping in Iraq for the time-being.

They are jointly preparing a security council resolution that gives the UN a role helping with refugees and displaced people, reconstruction and humanitarian assistance.

Britain

Controls the southern section of Iraq based on Basra with 35,000 troops, and hopes to leave a contingent of 12,000 troops in the stabilisation force by the end of the year.

May have a Spanish-speaking brigade attached to it.

Jack Straw, the foreign secretary, said at the weekend that "no final decisions have been made".

Poland

The most enthusiastic of the participating countries from "New Europe", offering 1,500 troops. It wants a zone of its own and hopes to lead an international force of 7,000. But its foreign minister insisted last night it could only go in under a new resolution from the UN security council, which is already split over lifting sanctions.

It plans to have troops in Iraq for at least a year, rotating every six months. Warsaw's initial proposal was to have German and Danish troops under its command . This was rejected by Berlin. A German newspaper yesterday called the Poles "the US's Trojan ass".

Spain

Will command a Hispanic brigade in the south. It has asked for a cushy, non-conflictive zone so as not to upset overwhelming anti-war opinion at home. "We don't want to have to break up demonstrations," an official said. Will send 1,500 troops of its own. Retired Spanish general Luis Feliu is charged with reorganising Iraq's armed forces.

Bulgaria

Defence minister Nikolai Svinarov confirmed yesterday that it plans to send 450-strong infantry battalion. But it needs someone else to pay the cost.

Denmark

Already part of a Polish-Danish-German division based in Poland. It may send troops under Polish command. Ole Wohlers Olsen, an Arab-speaking Danish diplomat and Muslim convert, is to be regional coordinator in the south-eastern Iraq Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance.

Ukraine

Heavily criticised by Washington which claims that Kiev sold hi-tech radar systems to Saddam Hussein as war loomed, Ukraine is now being asked to "show good faith" by providing troops for peacekeeping. A government spokesman confirmed yesterday that it was "considering" the request.

Honduras and Nicaragua

Both are ready to send troops under Spanish command - if someone else pays them. They would end up in the British zone in the south.

Netherlands

Reportedly ready to send troops. Indicated it is willing to take part in reconstruction.

Albania

Another fervent US ally reported ready to send troops.

Other countries

A further seven countries sent military officers to a London "working group" last week to assess how each could contri-bute. The Philippines, Qatar, Australia and South Korea have offered aid, but not troops.